Brisbane riders have the chance to go wild on a locally designed WYLD mini electric chopper at the “Launch, Show & Ride EV Expo” at University of Southern Queensland’s Springfield Campus next week.
The WYLD is produced by Brisbane-based electric light vehicle company EMoS, formerly known as e-Motion Concepts.
The e-Moped will cost from $A2999 to $A5599 depending on battery size.
EMoS will launch the bike at the event in the USQ’s Springfield campus car park of Block B at University Drive, on 12 December 2020, 9am to noon.
And you can get a chance to have a test ride.
In fact, because it is governed at 50m/h top speed it’s classed as a moped, so you don’t even need a motorcycle licence. (Mopeds can be ridden on a car licence in Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.)
Extending the special moped licence to all states is one of the key points of a Two Wheel Action Group petition to state and federal ministers. Click here to read more and sign the petition.
Electric future
While you’re at the Expo, you can see and ride the future of electric vehicles with a display of EMoS light electric vehicles (LEVs) to transport people and goods.
Ride Sports will also display their range of e-bikes and the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) will have information about electric vehicles and some electric cars on show.
As part of the Australian launch of the EMoS WYLD, the company will give away one of their iLARK three-wheeled personal e-scooters to one lucky attendant.
iLARK three-wheeled personal e-scooter
EMoS co-founder Harry Proskefalas visitors will be able to learn more about the coming electric vehicle revolution.
“The venue at USQ Springfield campus is very fitting, with USQ’s own commitment to sustainability, such as the 2 megawatt solar project and green transport initiatives,” he says.
The WYLD features a removable battery and you buy a backup 20Ah battery with 80km of range for $600 or a 30Ah battery with 90km range for $850.
It has fat 12-inch tyres, a solo saddle, mini ape-hanger bars, digital instruments and Harley-esque styling in red or blue.
Honda has filed a patent with the US Patent Office regarding the possible development and production of a brain-machine-interface that allows your brain to completely control the motorcycle.
The patent images are pretty comical actually. They depict a motorcycle rider using his mind to pop a wheelie on what looks like a CBR600RR. In the next photo, he’s doing a full front-brake stoppie.
It’s up to Honda and how they want to develop this hardware/software, but It’s safe to assume that this new BMI (brain-machine-interface) will link you up with the sensors and assists already on the motorcycle to hopefully prevent crashes and have the motorcycle perform more like you hope it would, without the failure of user inputs.
“The control circuitry may determine control information indicative of an intention of the user to perform a specific task using one or more components of the vehicle. The specific task may correspond to one of a vehicle acrobatic maneuver, a vehicle driving maneuver, or a hands-free control of the user assistive device inside the vehicle. Examples of the specific task may include, but are not limited to, a wheelie, a stoppie, a hyper spin, a switchback, a burnout, a left turning maneuver, a right turning maneuver, a braking maneuver, a reversing maneuver, an accelerating maneuver, a decelerating maneuver, a parking maneuver, a traffic circling maneuver, a stopping maneuver, or an overtaking maneuver.”
Bagging a number 1 plate at any age is something. Doing it at age 81 is remarkable.
Note: the photo above is of Tony Serra and Ed Sorbo at Streets of Willow in 2013 after Serra earned his first expert class championship.
Begin press release:
81-year-old Tony Serra clinched his sixth club level class championship at Willow Springs on November 26th, concluding a racing career that spanned seven decades.
Part one of Serra’s career started in 1964 with the Association of American Motorcycle Road Racers and concluded in 1970. A highlight for Serra was racing in the Junior Class of the 1968 Canadian GP at Mosport.
Part two of Serra’s career began in 2008 at the age of 68 when he rented a 250 Ninja from Race Bike Rentals for track days and Willow Springs Motorcycle Club races. Serra purchased that motorcycle and hired Lindemann Engineering’s Ed Sorbo as his Crew Chief & Coach.
Serra is heavier than the kids he raced against and wanted more power for his 250 Ninja. Because adding a turbo to a 250 Ninja is impractical Sorbo offered his 1990 TZ 250. Serra used it to earn his first club level championship. In the 2010 WSMC Novice 250 GP Class,
thus, becoming the world’s oldest motorcycle club level class champion at 71. In 2011 Serra earned both the Novice 250 GP and Novice Ninja Cup Championships with WSMC. By 2013 Serra was an expert and clinched the Moto West GP Lindemann Engineering 250 Ninja Cup Championship.
In 2019 Serra earned the WERA West F Super Sport Expert Championship and in 2020 he concluded his second career by again earning the WERA West F Super Sport Expert Championship.
Of note: Serra’s best TZ lap at Willow Springs is 1.44 and his best 250 Ninja lap is 1.47. Serra’s racing accomplishments are unlikely to be matched however he wants to encourage everyone to pursue their dreams. The Serra Challenge does not require extraordinary skills. Tony Serra encourages you to do the thing that challenges you regardless of age and if it’s motorcycling, all you have to do to join Tony is go racing anytime between the ages of 68 and 81 years young.
Lots of rubber options for the Multistrada V4, depending on how seriously you want to take it to the dirt.
Begin press release:
The new Ducati Multistrada V4, recently presented to the public on the digital platforms of the company from Borgo Panigale, represents the fourth generation of Multistrada and is an important step forward in its offering for the maxi enduro segment. The Multistrada V4 is an even more high performing motorcycle compared to its predecessor; designed to show a sporty attitude and versatility at the same time, capable of tackling all conditions in complete safety, on- and off-road.
Pirelli has worked closely with Ducati since the inception of the Multistrada project in 2003 offering to the company from Borgo Panigale tires focused on supporting the attributes of this machine in terms of performance and safety. The first version of the Ducati Multistrada in 2003 was equipped with Pirelli SCORPION Sync, the new 2010 model adopting Pirelli SCORPION Trail, while the Multistrada 1200 in 2012 was the first to have as original equipment the revolutionary Pirelli SCORPION Trail II tires. With the recent introduction of the fourth generation Multistrada, the partnership between this motorcycle family and SCORPION Trail II is increasingly strengthened, and it is joined this time by the motorcycle additional homologations for SCORPION Rally STR and SCORPION Rally tires.
The Ducati Multistrada V4 range features as original equipment tires Pirelli SCORPION Trail II in the sizes 120/70 ZR19 M/C 60W TL (D) front and 170/60 ZR17 M/C 72W TL (U) rear, a specification developed specifically for the new Multistrada. The sizes chosen for the new Ducati Multistrada have now become the reference for the maxi enduro segment. For this reason, the motorcycle is homologated also for the Pirelli enduro on/off tires SCORPION Rally STR and SCORPION Rally in the same sizes, which are more suitable for off-road use and for the needs of bikers who love adventure.
The Multistrada V4 S and Multistrada V4 S Sport models offer motorcyclists the possibility to be purchased with light alloy cast wheels or alternatively with spoke wheels, which will be directly assembled in the factory. In both cases, the original equipment tires remain Pirelli SCORPION Trail II.
The three different Pirelli tires homologated for the Ducati Multistrada V4:
SCORPION TRAIL II
ON-ROAD 90 / 10 OFF-ROAD
SCORPION Trail II is the perfect combination of the best features offered by an off-road product and those guaranteed by a sport touring tire, specifically designed to meet the most demanding market expectations, and for years the original equipment of prestigious enduro road bikes. Since its market introduction, SCORPION Trail II has achieved 11 victories in the enduro street tire comparative tests. The first one was the one promoted by Motorrad in 2015, the year of its debut. From 2016 until 2019, it’s the winner of 10 additional comparative tests organized by the most authoritative industry publications from Europe, achieving results that make this tire one of the most successful products ever from the Pirelli motorcycle range.
SCORPION RALLY STR
ON-ROAD 70 / 30 OFF-ROAD
SCORPION Rally STR is a tire of the enduro on/off segment that is able to combine the best performance of a rally competition tire with that of an enduro street tire. It’s designed for those motorcyclists that desire a knobby tire with an aggressive look, while being versatile, which translates to a balanced behavior on and off-road. SCORPION Rally STR provides optimal off-road performance combined with excellent handling, grip and stability on the road.
SCORPION RALLY
ON-ROAD 50 / 50 OFF-ROAD
Pirelli SCORPION Rally can rely on the pedigree of the SCORPION family, which carries with it all the experience developed through decades of participation in different off-road racing on different types of terrain, from soft sand to hard rock. Born specifically for desert racing and rallies, the SCORPION Rally range is enriched with new sizes that have been designed especially for high displacement enduro street bikes. This was made possible by the constant research & development work of Pirelli engineers, which pursued an evolution of all the tire aspects: from tread pattern design to tire structure, from profile to compounds. These sizes, including the ones for the new Ducati Multistrada V4, were designed to guarantee excellent off-road performance including better traction, tear resistance and less wear on the tread, and at the same time to provide high mileage and excellent road stability, even at high speeds and fully loaded.
Naturalist Enos A. Mills, known as the father of Rocky Mountain National Park, homesteaded this site adjacent to Colorado Highway 7 in 1885. Story and photos by John Aronson.
Peak to Peak Scenic Byway: Fifty-five miles of Colorado Bliss.
The Front Range of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains was definitely created for the benefit of motorcyclists, although it’s been more than 40 million years since tectonic forces elevated these massive peaks. Like the siren’s song to a sailor at sea, I’m motivated to explore this sublime elevated landscape close to my home along the urban corridor that includes Denver and Boulder, Colorado. An hour from my driveway is the 55-mile Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, established by the state of Colorado in 1918. A mecca for motorcyclists, the Byway is just two lanes and it follows the trails originally forged by Native Americans, fur traders and later miners in search of gold and other precious metals.
My Peak to Peak day ride begins where U.S. Highway 6 meets Colorado Highway 119 near the former mining settlement of Black Hawk, Colorado. Hungry riders will find designated motorcycle parking at The Last Shot. Nearby is the gold rush town of Central City, where the downtown storefronts have been restored to emulate their 19th-century origins. Most silver and gold prospecting in Central City and Black Hawk is now done in a bevy of legal gambling casinos. I only want to twist the throttle of my 2012 Triumph Tiger Explorer and head north. Leaving civilization behind, the elevation climbs and the views get better around every bend in the road. There are a few hairpins, but this section of the Byway features straight sections linked by spacious turns with just the right amount of camber.
The Central City Fire Department has served the community since the days of bucket brigades.
My plan is to stay on the pavement, but I ride past several dirt roads intersecting the byway that lead to trailheads and campgrounds in the Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forests. I’ve only traveled 19 miles from Black Hawk, but my priorities include stopping for a freshly baked croissant at the New Moon Bakery & Cafe in the funky village of Nederland. There is plenty of parking on this day, but in March the streets are jammed during the popular “Frozen Dead Guy Days” festival. Look it up. Nearby are the Eldora Mountain Resort and the Caribou Ranch where Elton John, Joe Walsh and a long list of other artists cut tracks in the recording studio there. Unfortunately, a fire destroyed the recording studio in 1985.
Founded in 1859, the gold rush town of Central City was once considered the “Richest Square Mile On Earth.”
From Nederland, the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway continues onto Colorado Highway 72, rising to 9,450 feet above sea level. Even though the tarmac up here must endure the ice and snow of winter, there are no frost heaves or bumps to upset my Tiger’s suspension through a series of perfect radius turns that ramble past the former gold mining settlement of Ward. Nearby is the entrance road to the Brainard Lake Recreation Area, which has views of the Indian Peaks Wilderness, access to several campgrounds and is a popular destination for canoeing, kayaking and fishing.
Just north of the town of Black Hawk, riders can satisfy their hunger at The Last Shot roadside restaurant.
As a general rule, the air temperatures are lower at higher altitudes, so when it’s a hot summer day in the cities of Colorado’s Front Range, riders head to the mountains where there might be near perfect riding weather. Of course, mountain riding in high elevations means rapidly changing weather conditions are always possible. When I’m not watching the road ahead, I notice massive dark clouds replacing my perfect blue skies. Afternoon rainstorms in Colorado are common during the summer months. Stopping to don my rain gear, I meet Mark aboard his Honda Gold Wing F6B towing a trailer and his wife Kim riding her CanAm Spyder. Beginning in their home state of West Virginia, they were halfway through a 6,000-mile journey to all of the lower 48 states. Soon after we part ways, it starts to pour down rain. My ride through the cloudburst lasts only 15 minutes, and happily I stay dry yet all the dead bugs have been washed from my windscreen! Looking back, the intensity of riding through a sudden storm made me feel more connected to my machine and the road beneath its wheels.
Mark and Kim included the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway on their ride to all of the lower 48 states.
I follow the byway onto the freshly paved asphalt of Colorado Highway 7 that rolls past the small resort town of Allenspark. The town was once the site of international ski jumping competitions and is near the Wild Basin entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. This is a good place to stop and take in the scenery, but on my ride the afternoon clouds obscure the summits of 13,911-foot Mount Meeker and 14,259-foot Longs Peak.
The author poses near the intersection of Colorado Highway 72 and Colorado Highway 7.
Fortunately for me, the tarmac has dried out and there’s very little rain-induced gravel or traffic to impede my Triumph’s progress through a series of lovely S turns down into Estes Park at the northern end of the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. There may be more famous roads, but this one has all the attributes riders crave, including fantastic vistas connected by ribbons of smooth pavement that are ideal for leaning through an endless supply of corners. There’s very little cross traffic, no traffic lights and I only remember two stop signs! Although the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is only 55 miles long, plan to spend most of your day exploring its charms. During my mid-week ride, I estimate that there was one motorcycle to every three or four cars I saw on the road! From Estes Park, Peak to Peak day riders can easily return to metropolitan Denver, Boulder or Ft. Collins. Estes Park is also a popular gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park and has abundant diversions for motorcyclists looking for good grub, camping and hotels. The historic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park was opened in 1909 by the steam car pioneer, Freelan Oscar Stanley. The hotel is rumored to be haunted and was the inspiration for author Stephen King’s “The Shining.” Even though I don’t believe in ghosts, I decide to head for home….
Looking west from Colorado Highway 7, the view of Mt. Meeker’s summit is obscured by clouds.
Favorite Ride: Peak to Peak Scenic Byway Photo Gallery:
Riders new to adventure will have another option to consider in 2021 with the arrival of the CRF300L and CRF300 Rally in Australia next March, 2021.
2021 Honda CRF300L Rally
Both shod with proper off-road sized rims, 18-inch at the rear and 21-inch at the front, these bikes will be some of the most confidence inspiring once the going gets rough while the tractable engine is strong enough to propel them up the steepest of hills. Their predecessors certainly tractored up anything I pointed them at without much fuss.
The liquid-cooled DOHC engine of the previous CRF250L has grown to 286cc, gained Euro5 compliance and now produces 27 horsepower at 8,500 rpm (up from 24 hp).
2021 Honda CRF300L Rally
Thanks to a longer stroke it also boasts 18 per cent more torque with a peak twist of 26.6 Nm climaxing slightly earlier at 6500 rpm. New cams along with revised air intake and exhaust systems contribute to the gains which add up to a 13 per cent improvement in the power-to-weight ratio.
2021 Honda CRF300L
Shorter ratios for the first five gears amplify the benefits of the increased grunt, while sixth is taller for more relaxed highway work.
2021 Honda CRF300L Rally
An slip-assist clutch now manages the rear wheel and offers 20 per cent less effort at the lever.
A redesigned steel semi-double cradle frame, aluminium swingarm and bottom yoke are major contributors to a 4 kg overall weight loss and features more lateral flex for increased feedback and feel.
Steering geometry has been adjusted to match alongside longer travel suspension and increased ground clearance, with the CRF300L actually boasting more ground clearance at 285 mm, gaining 30 mm.
2021 Honda CRF300L Rally
The Rally in comparison gained 5 mm to 275 mm total. Both models receive an extra 10 mm of suspension travel at the front, while the CRF300L also gains 20 mm at the rear.
The CRF300L features a slimmer 7.8L fuel tank and seat, and new, easy-to-read positive LCD instrument display. Kerb weight is also down to 142 kg.
2021 Honda CRF300L
The riding position, too, has been improved to encourage light-steering manoeuvrability – the handlebars are pulled back slightly, the foot pegs lowered and moved rearwards. Seat height grows 5 mm to 880 mm.
2021 Honda CRF300L
At 885 mm the CRF300 Rally’s broader, rubber-mounted seat is now 10 mm lower; the fuel tank grows 2.7 L to 12.8 L. Honda claim that offers a range of up to 410 km. Its handlebars feature internal weights to minimise vibration and the foot pegs are topped with rubber inserts, while LED indicators are now flexibly mounted for durability.
As on the previous CRF250 Rally, the larger 296 mm front rotor is retained, as well as the different headlight and screen setup. Weight is down 4 kg as on the CRF300L, but reaches 153 kg at the kerb for the Rally.
2021 Honda CRF300L and CRF300 Rally Specifications
There should be a lot of interest among Aussie race fans for an auction of memorabilia belonging to beloved Brit and adopted Aussie Barry Sheene.
The two-time Motorcycle Grand Prix World Champion and all-round larrikin was well loved in his adopted country where he died in 2003 from throat cancer.
Now some famous Bazza memorabilia is going up for auction at the Bonhams Winter Sale on 11-12 December 2020. The auction also includes many rare and collectable motorcycles.
The many Bazza items on offer would make a great Christmas present for the Aussie motorcycle fan who has everything.
1976 John Player Grand Prix Senior 500cc race winner’s trophy, estimate £600-800 (about $A630-910). It consists of a sword mounted to a wooden backing.
A Castrol trophy for first in the MCN Super Bike round at Mallory Park 12 September 1976. (£400–600).
Plaque for first in the 500cc ‘Gran Prix de Venezuela’ at San Carlos 19 March 1978, 19cm x 14cm; together with three other awards including a Martini ‘rider of the year 1977’ belt buckle inscribed to the rear specifically manufactured for Barry Sheene (£300-500).
A stainless steel Gabriel watch awarded at the ‘France de Chimay’ race in 1976 (£300 – £500).
Two sets of Suzuki team overalls and bib and brace (£250-350).
‘The Sheene Collection’ leather jacket (£400 – 600/$A$ 720-1100) and a medium fabric jacket with badges and logos (£400-600).
A leather holdall featuring his famous number ‘7’, ‘Sheene’ to the end and ‘Suzuki’ logo to the ends and sides (£250 – 350).
Bazza history
Barry Sheene
Barry was born in London in 1950, and was back-to-back world 500cc champion for Suzuki in 1976-77 after a spectacular crash at the Daytona 200 in 1975.
He almost died in the crash that would have ended many other riders’ careers, yet he came back stronger than ever and more determined to win.
Barry was also instrumental in many safety developments with track design and racer clothing.
Between 1968 and 1984, Sheene made over 100 Grand Prix starts, securing 52 podium finishes and 23 victories and remains the last Briton to win a motorcycle Grand Prix race.
Monster Energy Company and Team Suzuki Ecstar MotoGP are very proud and happy to announce that the two companies will join forces from 2021 after signing a multi-year agreement which will see the manufacturer from Hamamatsu enjoy extra power in its thrilling MotoGP World Championship adventure.
A product of a long-term mutual interest in working together, both companies are excited to share the news in what could be considered the icing on the cake for Team Suzuki Ecstar after clinching the World title with the Spanish rider Joan Mir in the same year in which the brand celebrates its 100th Anniversary and 60 years in racing.
Davide Brivio – Team Suzuki Ecstar Manager
“We are very happy to announce this agreement with Monster Energy. It’s a company which has been very active in MotoGP and other motorsport disciplines. We started negotiating before the beginning of the year and we are very proud to have Monster Energy branding on our bike for the years to come. Monster was already a partner of our two riders so we look forward to working with them much more closely, and we’ll try to give our best contribution to their marketing activities. I believe both brands will benefit a lot from this partnership. We share with Monster the love for the sport and a determined spirit, and we will try to share some great moments in the future together. We have always had a good relationship with Monster Energy’s management and all the staff we’ve met so far, and we are very happy to start working together and very excited to see what we can bring together in this sport.”
Monster Energy Company, which is currently sponsoring Team Suzuki Ecstar riders, Joan Mir and Alex Rins, will be fueling the entire team with an impactful presence on the 2021 GSX-RR bike, and they will boost the team as they aim to repeat the great success achieved this season.
Shinichi Sahara – SMC Project Leader
“It is a great pleasure to welcome a brilliant sponsor like Monster Energy. They have a lot of experience with motorsport sponsorship and they are always supporting great teams and young riders. We are proud to get this support for our project from 2021 onwards, especially after an astonishing season like this one. It has been very important for our brand after achieving the title on the 100th anniversary for Suzuki, and I’m sure we can start a nice relationship together with Monster. We are positive that this agreement can bring great results to us also in the future – we are very happy to feel their energy with us!”
The global energy drink brand has been heavily involved in motorsports all around the world for many years and is very well known in the field thanks to its racing activity and the successes it has celebrated across multiple disciplines. Monster Energy’s sponsorships extend beyond MotoGP across motorsports including F1, NASCAR, Supercross and Rally, as well as into action sports, major music artists and a variety of Esports teams and events.
Rodney Sacks – Chairman and CEO of Monster Energy Company
“We are very proud to announce the partnership between Monster Energy and Team Suzuki Ecstar, commencing from the 2021 season, as we further expand and solidify our continued commitment and support for MotoGP and motor racing around the world. Having spent the last two years supporting both Alex and Joan as they raced for the team with great success, it is a very natural progression to come on board as an official partner. 2020 has been an exceptional year for everyone connected with the team and we’re looking forward to continuing the astonishing journey that Suzuki and their riders have already taken fans on in MotoGP. The 2021 MotoGP season can’t come soon enough for any of us.”
What does this mean for Yamaha? Monster took over the naming rights for the primary Yamaha MotoGP Team from season 2019 when a similar multi-year agreement was announced, however no end date was publicly announced, so I guess we will see…
Team Honda HRC Announces Four-Rider Roster for 2021
American Honda confirmed today that its official squad—Team Honda HRC—will comprise four riders campaigning two classes for the 2021 AMA Supercross/AMA Pro Motocross season.
As previously announced, Ken Roczen and Chase Sexton will compete aboard the all-new 2021 CRF450R in the 450 class.
In addition, Australian youngsters Hunter and Jett Lawrence join the team to race the CRF250R in the quarter-liter division.
Ken Roczen
A three-time AMA champion and one-time FIM champion, Roczen won four AMA Supercross rounds last season and finished third in the final points standings before sitting out AMA Pro Motocross to focus on recovering from the effects of the Epstein-Barr virus.
Chase Sexton
Meanwhile, Sexton successfully defended his AMA Supercross 250 East Region crown with the Factory Connection squad before advancing to the premier class with Team Honda HRC for AMA Pro Motocross, in which he won the final round.
Jett Lawrence – Image by Align Media
The Australian Lawrence brothers both rode for Factory Connection in 2020, with Jett winning the final AMA Pro Motocross round and earning the Marty Smith Rookie of the Year Award.
Hunter Lawrence
In recent seasons, Team Honda HRC has focused on the 450 class, but with the recent dissolution of the Factory Connection Race Team following a long and successful collaboration with Honda, the 250 effort is being absorbed into the in-house project for 2021. Factory Connection will continue to work with Team Honda HRC in various capacities.
“The 2021 season will be upon us soon, and our team is working hard to prepare,” said Brandon Wilson, Manager of Advertising and Motorcycle Sports at American Honda. “While we were sorry to see Factory Connection’s race team shut down, we’re pleased to continue a relationship with their company, and we’re excited to have such a talented rider lineup for both classes. When you also factor in our solid team structure, there’s every reason to expect a positive performance from Team Honda HRC next year.”
Lawrence brothers officially announced at Team Honda HRC
Section: Competition
Both Jett and Hunter to ride CRF250Rs for 2021 within in-house program.
Image: Octopi Media.
American Honda has officially announced that brothers Jett and Hunter Lawrence will lead Team Honda HRC’s new 250 class program in 2021.
Following the dissolution of Factory Connection-operated Geico Honda organization, the Lawrences will be alongside HRC premier class duo Ken Roczen and Chase Sexton.
“The 2021 season will be upon us soon and our team is working hard to prepare,” said Brandon Wilson, manager of advertising and motorcycle sports at American Honda. “While we were sorry to see Factory Connection’s race team shut down, we’re pleased to continue a relationship with their company.
“We’re excited to have such a talented rider line-up for both classes. When you also factor in our solid team structure, there’s every reason to expect a positive performance from Team Honda HRC next year.”
After moving from their home country in Australia to learn their craft in Europe, the Lawrences first signed with Honda ahead of 2018 and moved to the US that following season as part of a multi-year agreement.
